skittish
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C1 adjective /ˈskɪtɪʃ/

skittish

Meaning
easily frightened or nervous; unpredictable
Example
The horse was too skittish to ride.
C2 noun /lɒŋ ˈwɪskəd ˈkætfɪʃ/

Long whiskered catfish

Meaning
A type of freshwater fish with long whisker-like barbels around its mouth
Example
The fisherman caught a long whiskered catfish in the river.
C1 adjective /ˈheɪ.nəs/

Heinous

Meaning
extremely wicked or evil; abominable; morally reprehensible
Example
The heinous crime shocked the entire community.
A2 adjective /ˌjʊərəˈpiːən/

european

Meaning
Relating to Europe or its people.
Example
She studied European history at university.
C2 noun /ˈkaʊntɪŋˌhaʊs/

counting-house

Meaning
a business office where accounts are kept and financial transactions are managed
Example
The merchant spent most of his day in the counting-house reviewing ledgers.
C1 noun /ˌdʒerənˈtɑːlədʒi/

gerontology

Meaning
The scientific study of old age and the process of aging.
Example
She chose to specialize in gerontology after completing medical school.
C2 noun /ˈpætrɪˌmoʊni/

patrimony

Meaning
Property or inheritance passed down from one's father or ancestors.
Example
The castle was part of his patrimony from his noble ancestors.
C2 adjective /ˌlɪlɪˈpjuːʃən/

lilliputian

Meaning
Extremely small or tiny; trivial or petty.
Example
The model village was filled with lilliputian houses.
B1 noun /slaɪd/

Slide

Meaning
a smooth surface for sliding down; a piece of playground equipment
Example
The children enjoyed playing on the slide at the park.
C1 adjective /hɪpˈnɒtɪk/

hypnotic

Meaning
Producing sleep or a trance-like state; mesmerizing.
Example
The music had a hypnotic effect on the audience.
B2 noun, verb /steɪk/

stake

Meaning
A share or interest in a business or venture; to risk or support something of value.
Example
He has a major stake in the new company.
C2 noun /ˈnʌnəri/

nunnery

Meaning
A convent or building where nuns live and work.
Example
She decided to join the nunnery to devote her life to spiritual practice.
B2 noun /ˈledʒ.ənd/

Legend

Meaning
a traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but unauthenticated; an extremely famous or notorious person
Example
The legend of King Arthur has inspired many books.
B2 noun /ˈsɪmbəl/

Symbol

Meaning
a mark or character used as a conventional representation of an object, function, or process
Example
The dove is a symbol of peace.
B2 verb /ˈsɪmpəθaɪz/

sympathize

Meaning
to feel sorry for someone; to understand and share someone's feelings
Example
I sympathize with your loss.
C1 noun /ˌædʒ.ɪˈteɪ.ʃən/

agitation

Meaning
a state of nervousness, excitement, or unrest; or action of stirring up public concern
Example
There was visible agitation among the crowd.
B1 noun /ˈlaɪtnɪŋ/

lightning

Meaning
a flash of light in the sky caused by electricity during a storm
Example
The lightning struck a tree near our house.
B2 noun /ˈwɪzərd/

Wizard

Meaning
a man who is supposed to have magical powers; a person who is very skilled in a particular area
Example
The wizard performed amazing magic tricks.
B2 adjective /hɪˈlɛəriəs/

hilarious

Meaning
Extremely funny or amusing.
Example
The comedian told a hilarious story that had everyone laughing.
C2 noun /ˈreɪmənt/

raiment

Meaning
clothing, especially fine or formal wear
Example
The king wore royal raiment during the ceremony.
C2 noun /ˈɛmbəˌlɪzəm/

embolism

Meaning
the sudden blockage of a blood vessel by a clot or other foreign matter
Example
The patient suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism.
B2 adjective, noun, verb /ˈæb.strækt/

abstract

Meaning
existing in thought or as an idea but not having physical or concrete existence; a summary of a text
Example
The artist is known for her abstract paintings.
C2 noun /ˌspoʊliˈeɪʃən/

spoliation

Meaning
The act of destroying or ruining something, often evidence or property.
Example
The court punished the company for the spoliation of evidence.
A2 noun /stɔːrm/

Storm

Meaning
a violent weather condition with strong winds, rain, thunder, and lightning
Example
The storm caused power outages across the city.
C2 noun /ˈhaʊsˌbreɪkɪŋ/

housebreaking

Meaning
the crime of breaking into a house with intent to steal
Example
The thief was arrested for housebreaking.
B2 verb /ˈfrʌsˌtreɪt/

frustrate

Meaning
to prevent from accomplishing; to make someone feel annoyed
Example
The traffic jam frustrated all the commuters.
B2 noun speɪs ɪksplɔːˈreɪʃən

space exploration

Meaning
The investigation of outer space by means of manned and unmanned spacecraft.
Example
Space exploration has expanded our knowledge of the universe.
C2 noun /nɛˈkroʊsɪs/

necrosis

Meaning
the death of body tissue due to disease, injury, or lack of blood supply
Example
The doctor explained that the patient’s wound showed signs of necrosis.
C2 adjective /hɪk/

Hick

Meaning
unsophisticated person from a rural area; country bumpkin
Example
He had a hick accent from growing up in a small town.
C1 noun /ˈdɑːrwɪnɪzəm/

darwinism

Meaning
the theory of biological evolution developed by Charles Darwin, emphasizing natural selection
Example
Darwinism revolutionized the way scientists understood the origin of species.
C2 verb /ɪmˈpeɪl/

impale

Meaning
to pierce or fix something with a sharp object
Example
The knight was impaled by the enemy’s spear.
C1 noun /huːf/

Hoof

Meaning
the hard part covering the foot of horses, cattle, sheep, and other animals
Example
The horse's hoof was injured after stepping on a sharp rock.
C2 adjective /ˈdʒes.tɪŋ/

Jesting

Meaning
joking or teasing in a playful manner
Example
He was only jesting when he said he would quit his job.
C1 adjective /ˈsɒljʊbəl/

soluble

Meaning
able to be dissolved, especially in water
Example
Sugar is soluble in water.
A2 conjunction /ʌnˈlɛs/

unless

Meaning
except if
Example
We won't go unless it stops raining.
B2 verb /sɜːrdʒ/

surge

Meaning
to move suddenly and powerfully forward or upward
Example
The crowd surged forward when the gates opened.
C1 noun /ˈɪrˌplʌɡ/

earplug

Meaning
a device inserted into the ear to block out noise or water
Example
He wore earplugs to sleep during the noisy night.
A2 noun ˈɑːrɡjumənt

argument

Meaning
A reason or set of reasons given with the aim of persuading others that an action or idea is right or wrong.
Example
His argument was based on majority.
C2 verb /ɪmˈbruː/

imbrue

Meaning
To stain, especially with blood.
Example
His hands were imbrued with blood after the battle.
C1 adjective /ɪˈspeʃəl/

especial

Meaning
Particularly remarkable or significant; distinguished from others
Example
This is an especial opportunity you should not miss.
C2 verb /ɪmˈbɪtər/

embitter

Meaning
To make someone resentful or angry; to cause bitterness.
Example
The unfair treatment embittered the employees.
C2 noun /ˌɪn.trəˈɡreʃ.ən/

introgression

Meaning
The transfer of genetic information from one species to another through repeated backcrossing.
Example
Introgression plays a significant role in plant breeding.
C1 noun/verb /ˈsaɪ.fər/

cipher

Meaning
A secret or disguised way of writing; a code; to put a message into secret writing.
Example
Military messages are protected using a cipher.
C1 noun /kənˈtɪnjuəm/

continuum

Meaning
A continuous sequence in which adjacent elements are not perceptibly different from each other, but the extremes are quite distinct.
Example
Life and death are often seen as part of the same continuum.
B2 adjective /ˈɒnərəbəl/

honourable

Meaning
deserving respect or admiration because of moral integrity; showing honesty and fairness
Example
She is known as an honourable leader who always keeps her promises.
C1 noun /ˈʃɜːrbət/

sherbet

Meaning
a sweet flavored drink or a frozen dessert made from sweetened fruit juice
Example
On hot days, she enjoys a glass of lemon sherbet.
B2 adjective /ˌʌn.kəʊˈɒp.ər.ə.tɪv/

uncooperative

Meaning
not willing to help or work with others; unhelpful
Example
The witness was uncooperative and refused to answer questions.
C1 noun /ˌænɛkˈseɪʃən/

annexation

Meaning
the act of adding or taking control of territory or property, especially by a state
Example
The annexation of the region led to international condemnation.
C2 noun /əˈspɜːr.ʒən/

aspersion

Meaning
An attack on the reputation or integrity of someone.
Example
He cast an aspersion on her character.
B1 noun /ˈstætʃuː/

Statue

Meaning
a three-dimensional work of art, typically made of stone, metal, or wood
Example
The statue of liberty is a famous landmark in New York.
B1 adjective; verb (past and past participle of prepare) /prɪˈpɛrd/

prepared

Meaning
made ready in advance; having made plans or taken steps beforehand
Example
She was fully prepared for the final exam.
C1 noun /ˈnoʊ.və/

Nova

Meaning
a star that suddenly increases greatly in brightness
Example
Astronomers discovered a new nova in the constellation.
C1 verb /ˈtiːtər/

teeter

Meaning
to move or balance unsteadily; to wobble
Example
The glass began to teeter on the edge of the table.
B2 adjective /ˈreɪʃəl/

racial

Meaning
relating to a race of people
Example
Racial equality is an important issue in many societies.
C1 adjective /ˈæm.ɪ.kə.bəl/

amicable

Meaning
Having a spirit of friendliness; without serious disagreement or rancor.
Example
They reached an amicable agreement.
C2 adjective /blɑːˈzeɪ/

blase

Meaning
unimpressed or indifferent to something because it has been experienced so often before
Example
After years of luxury travel, she felt blase about another trip to Paris.
C2 noun /əˌpɒθiˈoʊsɪs/

apotheosis

Meaning
The highest point of development; the perfect example of something; the elevation of someone to divine status.
Example
Many see the Renaissance as the apotheosis of art and culture in Europe.
A2 adjective kɑːm

calm

Meaning
Not showing or feeling nervousness, anger, or other strong emotions; peaceful.
Example
The calm environment supports healing.
B1 adjective ˈlɔːŋ.tɜːrm

long-term

Meaning
Occurring over or involving a relatively long period of time.
Example
Long-term planning is necessary for environmental conservation.
C1 verb /skwɪnt/

squint

Meaning
to look with partly closed eyes
Example
She squinted at the bright sunlight.
B1 verb /rɪˈleɪt/

relate

Meaning
to connect or show a link between; to tell a story
Example
She relates her experience to the audience.
B2 noun ˈɪnəveɪtɪv tuːlz

innovative tools

Meaning
Creative devices or advanced technologies that introduce new methods or approaches to accomplish tasks.
Example
Teachers use innovative tools to enhance classroom learning.
B2 noun /ˈɛseɪ/

essay

Meaning
A short piece of writing on a particular subject.
Example
She wrote an essay about climate change.
A1 adjective /nɛkst/

next

Meaning
immediately following in time, order, or place
Example
The next train leaves at 9:00 AM.
C1 adjective; noun /ɪˈmɔːrtl/

immortal

Meaning
living forever; never dying; lasting forever in fame or memory
Example
Legends often describe heroes as immortal beings who never die.
A2 verb /ˈɡæðər/

gather

Meaning
to come together or collect in one place; to assemble
Example
People gather in the park for the festival.
C2 noun/verb /ˈpɪləri/

pillory

Meaning
a device for publicly punishing someone / to expose to public ridicule
Example
The corrupt official was placed in the pillory for the town to jeer at.
C2 verb /ˈdiːfælˌkeɪt/

defalcate

Meaning
to misuse or embezzle money that one is responsible for
Example
The accountant was accused of defalcating company funds.
B2 adjective; verb (past participle) /ˈɒkjʊpaɪd/

occupied

Meaning
being in use or taken; filled or lived in; controlled or held by force
Example
The room is occupied, so please wait outside.
C2 adjective /ɪnˈvaɪələbl/

inviolable

Meaning
never to be broken, dishonored, or violated
Example
Human rights are considered inviolable in modern democracies.
C2 noun /ɪnˈfrækʃən/

infraction

Meaning
A violation or breach of a rule, law, or agreement.
Example
The student was punished for a minor infraction of the school rules.
A2 noun /ɪˈfekt/

Effect

Meaning
a change that is a result or consequence of an action or other cause
Example
The new medicine had a positive effect on the patient's recovery.
A2 noun /bæˈleɪ/

ballet

Meaning
a highly stylized and artistic form of dance
Example
She has trained for years in classical ballet.
C2 adjective /ˈkɒrɪdʒəbl/

corrigible

Meaning
capable of being corrected or improved
Example
The student's mistakes were corrigible with practice.
A2 adjective /ˈnæsti/

nasty

Meaning
very unpleasant, unkind, or offensive
Example
He made a nasty comment about her dress.
C1 noun /ˈdʒiː.nəs/

genus

Meaning
a category in biological classification ranking above species and below family
Example
The tiger belongs to the genus Panthera.
C2 adjective /rɪˈfræɡəbəl/

refragable

Meaning
Capable of being refuted or disproved.
Example
His argument was weak and easily refragable.
B2 noun /ˈʃɪpɪŋ/

shipping

Meaning
the process of transporting goods
Example
The shipping of the products was delayed due to weather conditions.
C1 noun /ˈsuːdənɪm/

pseudonym

Meaning
a fictitious name used by an author instead of their real name
Example
Mark Twain was the pseudonym of Samuel Clemens.
B2 verb /ˈspɛsɪfaɪ/

specify

Meaning
to state or describe something clearly and exactly
Example
Please specify the time and place of the meeting.
B1 adverb /ˈɛlswɛr/

elsewhere

Meaning
In, at, or to some other place.
Example
If you can’t find it here, try looking elsewhere.
C1 noun /tiː ˈstreɪnər/

Tea-strainer

Meaning
a small perforated device used to strain tea leaves from brewed tea
Example
I always use a tea-strainer when pouring tea into cups.
C1 noun /ˈlɛɡɪŋ/

legging

Meaning
tight-fitting stretch pants, typically worn by women for exercise or casual wear
Example
She bought a new pair of black leggings for the gym.
B2 noun /əˈmɛnəti/

amenity

Meaning
a useful or pleasant facility or feature of a place
Example
The apartment has every amenity needed for comfortable living.
B2 noun /bætʃ/

batch

Meaning
a quantity of items produced or processed at one time
Example
She baked a fresh batch of cookies this morning.
C1 adjective /ˈrɛtɪsənt/

reticent

Meaning
not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily; reserved
Example
She was reticent about her personal life.
C2 adjective /bəˈθɛt.ɪk/

bathetic

Meaning
displaying insincere or trivial emotion; producing an unintended ridiculous effect through sudden change from serious to silly
Example
The movie's ending was unintentionally bathetic rather than tragic.
B1 noun, verb /ˈfaɪ.næns/ or /fəˈnæns/

finance

Meaning
the management of money and investments, or to provide funds for something
Example
The company secured finance from a major bank.
C2 noun /kənˌdʒiː.niˈæl.ə.t̬i/

congeniality

Meaning
The quality of being pleasant, friendly, and easy to talk to.
Example
His congeniality makes him popular among friends.
C2 adjective /ˈbrɪndl̩d/

brindled

Meaning
Having a brownish or tawny color with streaks or spots of another color.
Example
The farmer owned a brindled cow with distinctive stripes.
B2 noun /ˌfer.ˈwel/

Farewell

Meaning
an act of parting or of marking someone's departure
Example
The company organized a farewell party for the retiring manager.
C1 adjective /ˈɪnərmoʊst/

Innermost

Meaning
most private and secret; deepest; most personal
Example
She shared her innermost feelings with her closest friend.
C2 noun /ɪmˌprɒb.əˈbɪl.ə.ti/

Improbability

Meaning
the quality or state of being improbable; unlikely to be true or to happen
Example
The improbability of winning the lottery twice didn't stop her from buying tickets.
C2 verb /ˈkævəl/

cavil

Meaning
to make petty or unnecessary objections
Example
She caviled at every detail of the plan.
C1 noun ˌmɛtə ˈmɔːfəsɪs

metamorphosis

Meaning
A change of the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one, by natural or supernatural means.
Example
The company's metamorphosis from a small startup to a global leader was remarkable.
C1 noun /əˈsɛnʃən/

ascension

Meaning
The act of rising or going up, often to an important position or a higher place.
Example
His rapid ascension in the company surprised everyone.
C1 verb /ˈmɑːrdʒɪnəlaɪz/

marginalize

Meaning
To treat a person or group as unimportant or insignificant.
Example
The policy marginalized minority communities.
C2 noun /sfɛˈrɪsɪti/

sphericity

Meaning
The quality or state of being spherical; roundness.
Example
The sphericity of the ball made it roll smoothly on the ground.
C2 noun /ˌmjuːlˈtɪər/

muleteer

Meaning
a person who drives or takes care of mules
Example
The muleteer guided the animals safely across the mountain path.
B1 noun, verb /skiːm/

scheme

Meaning
a plan or arrangement, especially one that is secret or dishonest
Example
They devised a scheme to cheat investors.
B2 noun /kɒk/

Cock

Meaning
an adult male chicken
Example
The cock crowed loudly at dawn to wake everyone up.
C1 adjective /ˈdaɪ.si/

dicey

Meaning
Risky or unpredictable; potentially dangerous.
Example
Investing in that company looks pretty dicey right now.
C1 noun /ˈɡuːs.bʌmps/

goosebumps

Meaning
small raised bumps on the skin caused by cold, fear, or excitement
Example
The horror movie gave me goosebumps.
C1 verb /ˈsætʃəˌreɪt/

saturate

Meaning
to fill completely with something until no more can be absorbed
Example
The heavy rain saturated the ground within minutes.
B2 adjective /ˈsɪn.ɪ.kəl/

cynical

Meaning
Believing that people are motivated by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity.
Example
She was cynical about the politician's promises.
C1 noun /bɑːm/

balm

Meaning
A soothing ointment or something that provides comfort or relief.
Example
The balm helped relieve the pain from her sunburn.
C1 noun /doʊ/

doe

Meaning
a female deer, especially an adult one
Example
The doe and her fawn were grazing in the meadow.
B1 noun /ˈtiːspuːn/

teaspoon

Meaning
a small spoon used for stirring drinks or eating soft foods, or for measuring small amounts of ingredients.
Example
Add a teaspoon of sugar to the tea.
B1 adjective ˈkrɪtɪkəl

critical

Meaning
Extremely important; at a point of crisis or urgency.
Example
Addressing critical issues in education is imperative.
A2 adverb /ˈtoʊtəli/

Totally

Meaning
completely; entirely; absolutely
Example
I totally agree with your opinion.
C2 noun /ɪˈfjuːʒən/

effusion

Meaning
An unrestrained outpouring of words, feelings, or emotions.
Example
His letter was an effusion of love and longing.
B1 noun ˈproʊtest

protest

Meaning
A statement or action expressing disapproval of or objection to something.
Example
Students organized a protest.
C2 adjective /ˈpɛstɪlənt/

pestilent

Meaning
Causing or tending to cause death or destruction; harmful or pernicious.
Example
The pestilent atmosphere of the swamp made people sick.
C2 noun /ˈkoʊ.tə.ri/

coterie

Meaning
a small, exclusive group of people with shared interests
Example
He belonged to a coterie of artists who met every Friday.
C2 adjective /ˈkɒnfluənt/

confluent

Meaning
Flowing together or merging; coming together at one point.
Example
The confluent streams formed a mighty river.
A2 noun ˈbræntʃɪz

Branches

Meaning
A part of a tree that grows out from the trunk or from a bough.
Example
Family tree branches show the relationship between family members.
C1 noun /skwɔːl/

squall

Meaning
a sudden violent gust of wind, often accompanied by rain, snow, or sleet
Example
A sudden squall caught the sailors off guard.
B1 noun, verb /dʒeɪl/

jail

Meaning
A place for the confinement of people accused or convicted of a crime; to imprison.
Example
The thief was sent to jail for stealing.
B2 verb /flɜːrt/

flirt

Meaning
to behave as if you are attracted to someone, but not in a serious way
Example
She often flirts with her colleagues at work.
C1 noun /spɛk/

speck

Meaning
A very small spot, mark, or particle.
Example
There was a tiny speck of dust on the glass table.
B1 noun /bʊʃ/

bush

Meaning
a plant with many small branches growing close to the ground; a shrub
Example
A rabbit was hiding under the bush.